Chancey Colwell reportedly hit police chief with metal pole

By Sarah Rose

The Daily Record

Posted:
12/08/2015 08:45:15 PM MST

Chancey Colwell

New information is available about the alleged assault against Florence Police Department Chief Mike DeLaurentis.

Chancey Colwell, 31, reportedly hit DeLaurentis in the shoulder with a metal pipe and attempted to stab him Dec. 1. Authorities said DeLaurentis was not injured enough to receive treatment at a hospital.

At about 3 p.m. FPD Lt. Mike Ingle was called out to Florence's Dollar General for a report of shoplifting.

The arrest affidavit stated he sent a photograph from store video footage to DeLaurentis, who identified Colwell and Reagon Hudnall, another shoplifting suspect.

Ingle heard DeLaurentis say he might have found the suspect's vehicle at Kwik Stop No. 9, the affidavit stated.

"At approximately 3:53 p.m., the chief called out in a distressed manner that he was in contact with the parties and that he needed assistance," the affidavit stated. "Several more calls from the chief came over the radio — each one more desperate in nature. I made my way to the Kwik Stop and pulled in the front as I observed the chief chasing a male subject in front of the store to the north where he then jumped into a deep drainage ditch."

Law enforcement then lost sight of Colwell temporarily, the affidavit states.

While multiple officers and deputies were searching for Colwell, DeLaurentis told Ingle he attempted to gain control of Colwell at the Kiwk Stop.

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"The chief stated that Chancey 'must have been on some type of narcotic as he just went crazy.' Chancey fought with the chief, knocking over several display shelves and hundreds of items from the shelves. The chief continued to try and get control of the subject when he (Chancey) then grabbed a metal pole that supported a display rack and physically hit the chief with the pole."

DeLaurentis was hit in the right shoulder, authorities stated.

The chief tased Colwell at the Kwik Stop, the affidavit states, but he fled the scene. Hudnall was arrested there.

At about 6:20 p.m., dispatch told authorities that Colwell was seen entering a residence near Maple and Second Street.

"Numerous officers responded to the area and Chancey was eventually caught after running several blocks and hiding in residential backyards," the affidavit states, "Chancey was transported to St. Thomas More Hospital due to several TASER uses and complaints of injuries."

Colwell is being housed at the Fremont County Detention Center. His cash-only bond is set at $25,000.

Colwell is charged with first-degree assault of a peace officer, second degree-assault of a peace officer, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and theft.

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